2005-04-11-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 11, 2005 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Manz, Galaitsis, Hornig, Canale and planning staff McCall-Taylor and Tap present. ************************************* MINUTES ************************************** Review of Minutes: The Board agreed to postpone acting on the minutes of January 5 and 12 and March 17 and 28, 2005,to a future meeting. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 48 Summit Road, Preliminary Subdivision, Yuan-Shion Tung, Public Information Meeting: Mr. Yuan- Shion Tung, the applicant, and Mr. Frederick Russell, designing engineer, were present. Fourteen people were in the audience. Mr. Russell exhibited a preliminary plan for Mr. Tung's 63,600 square foot parcel of land off Summit Road, an unaccepted street. The plan shows the creation of two lots, one with an existing house and one on which a new house would be built. He noted that there is town water service in Summit Road and it would be extended to the serve the new dwelling. Some of the existing stonewalls, which are not historic, would need to be realigned. A proposed 20-foot wide roadway with a hammerhead turnaround would provide access to the new dwelling. Mr. Russell also exhibited a proof plan but noted that if a standard street and cul de sac had to be built the new dwelling would be located where the land is steeper and more site disturbance would result. Board questions and comments had to do with stormwater management. Ms. Manz wondered if the infiltration system shown could actually be built. Mr. Russell indicated that he would soon dig test pits. In response to Mr. Harden's concern, Mr. Russell commented that the land would be leveled off somewhat to lessen runoff. Responding to Mr. Hornig, he said that the town engineer has not reacted negatively to extending the water service to the new home. Asked if he intends to improve Summit Road, Mr. Russell indicated he is willing to so some grading and perhaps put an overlay coat on some of it. Mr. Canale asked what some of the drainage issues are and how the neighbors regard them. Most the audience groaned. Ms. Manz asked if the new house could be moved forward to preserve more trees. Mr. Russell responded in the affirmative. He also indicated that emergency vehicles could turn around in the hammerhead with a bit of maneuvering. Ms. McCall-Taylor noted that a landscape architect should be involved in the site planning. Audience questions and comments revolved around stormwater runoff, beginning with the question of the effects of blasting, if needed, for the dwelling, the road or the drainage system. Mr. Gordon Conrad, 16 Bridle Path, related the serious runoff problems caused by previous blasting for development on Summit Road, uphill from Bridle Path, as there is a great deal of ledge in the terrain. Others in the audience agreed that ledge is plentiful on Follen Hill and that water has been a big problem for them. They also voiced concern that with more impervious surface due to the new road and new house, on top of the removal of trees and vegetation, their problems would be magnified. Dr. David Baron, 47 Fern Street, testified that his basement has had three or more feet of water in it in the past. He has since solved the problem, but not inexpensively. Mr. Wendell Kalsow, 25 Summit Road, an architect, stated that the proposed large dwelling would be out of character with the neighborhood. Mr. Harden responded that the size of the dwelling is something over